Monday Fulham Stuff - 10/02/20...

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Results

Sunday
Millwall	0-2	West Brom

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27 million reasons that condemned Blackburn Rovers to defeat against Fulham

We say goodbye to the unbeaten home record... for now


Blackburn Rovers' Darragh Lenihan competes with Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic (Image: Photographer Richard Martin-Roberts/CameraSport)

Blackburn Rovers' 1-0 defeat to Fulham was a tough pill to swallow.

In a game where chances were few and far between, a draw would have been a fair result for both sides.

But it's in those sort of scrappy, attritional encounters where a prolific, albeit expensive, striker would come in handy.

Fortunately for Scott Parker, leading the line for the visitors was the powerful, clinical £27m Aleksandr Mitrovic, the Championship's joint leading scorer and arguably the most feared forward in the division.

For 64 minutes, Mitrovic had been frustrated.

The 'Darraghbioyo' partnership was proving to be fruitful again, their positioning exceptional in being able to limit the Fulham striker.

Ryan Nyambe and Amari'i Bell restricted the wide duo of Bobby Reid and Ivan Cavaleiro. Two wingers who are often used to their fair share of annihilating opposition full-backs were numbed and neither Nyambe or Bell gave them an inch to supply their increasingly isolated Serbian.

An audacious yet reckless attempt at trying to lob Christian Walton from Fulham territory in the first-half summed up Mitrovic's afternoon at that point.

Joe Rankin-Costello hassled and chopped at Mitrovic as he tried to break free from deep and it was as though the forward just lashed out as he pumped the ball forward 70-yards for a Rovers goalkick.

In the second-half, Fulham pressure increased a notch but enough to concern the Rovers defence or the home support inside Ewood.

Tom Cairney was slipped inside by Bobby Reid on the 56 minute mark and with the goal at his mercy, the former Rovers midfielder rifled his effort straight at Walton. As opportunities had gone in this game, it seemed like that neither side were going to create much better.

There was a sense that with Tony Parkes in the stand, it would have made for a fitting tribute if Rovers were able to grind out a result.

Yet, even with Parkes present, the footballing Gods decided to operate against Tony Mowbray's favour and with an element of luck, the game gravitated in Fulham's favour.

Joe Bryan, who's forward endeavours to this point had proved futile, looked to play a one-two with Reid but much to his fortune, the ball rebounded off the foot of Lewis Travis and the full-back was set free.

Of course, if you are to give Mitrovic half a yard in the penalty area, he is going to punish you.

It'll be a learning curve for Tosin Adarabioyo, and one that will help to shape him for the future, but it was mistake that Rovers could ill-afford in a game that had produced so little.

Rovers had registered only one shot on target prior to the goal and had barely done enough to trouble the Fulham defence.

Adam Armstrong was starved of support in attack and when Rovers did break forward, there was no fluidity or structure and as a result, nearly all attacks were foiled before they even had begun.

Throwing on three strikers was a big call from Mowbray, and while it was the right call, his persistence in playing Sam Gallagher on the wing is bordering on irritable.

With balls being pumped into the box and Rovers beginning to trouble Fulham with their gung-ho approach, Gallagher would have best been utilised as the target man. Not only because his height serves as a threat, but it would cause the opposition to over-compensate for his presence and leave others like Armstrong and Danny Graham unmarked.

Similarly to Gallagher, Dominic Samuel was isolated on the right and his arrival did little to penetrate Fulham's defence.

Despite that, the offside decision against Darragh Lenihan's equaliser was a joke, and epitomised Rovers' luck. It would have made for yet another valiant point against a side who will be lurking in the promotion spots come May.

It's important not to get downbeat after Saturday's result. Hull are the visitors on Tuesday and a win could go a long way in a decisive month.

After all, when you're playing a team that boast a £27m striker in their ranks, the chances are that he is the one who is going to make the pivotal difference.



https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/27-million-reasons-condemned-blackburn-17716145

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Scott Parker heaps praise on Fulham ace after Blackburn Rovers victory

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his 20th Championship goal of the season yesterday, as Fulham beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0.

The Serbian has again shown that he's one of the hottest strikers in the continent with yet another goal yesterday, scoring the winner at Ewood Park to deal Blackburn only their second home defeat in 16.

He picked up the ball inside the penalty box, turned and fired low into the net – he's scored 31 for club and country so far this season.

Speaking to www.fulhamfc.com after the game yesterday, Parker recognised his star-striker, and had plenty of praise in store after his match-winning performance:

"It's a big return for so early in the season. I think what makes me most proud of Mitrovic today is his overall performance.

"We all see him for his goal and his technical ability with the way he plays, but I think he epitomised everything we needed today, and that was roll your sleeves up and, first and foremost, win a battle. He did that, and he deserved his goal."

Fulham were made to work hard for the three-points yesterday, Tony Mowbray's side are formidable at home and took a point into half-time. But Fulham came out firing and eventually managed to nick a goal, and hold off Blackburn to take all the points back down to London.

It's kept Fulham in 3rd-place of the table and has put them on level points with Leeds United after their 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest yesterday – Leeds had an 11-point gap over Fulham in December.

The verdict

Fulham are heading for a top-two spot. Their form of late has been impressive and their transfer window last month was even more so, setting them up for what'll be a tricky second-half of the season.

Mitrovic will be key to every success that they have, and keeping him fit and firing may just secure an immediate return to the Premier League for Fulham and Parker.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/scott-parker-heaps-praise-on-fulham-ace-after-blackburn-rovers-victory/

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'I'm looking forward to playing them' Leeds United's rivals smell blood amid changing promotion picture

Brentford and Fulham could potentially move ahead of Leeds in midweek

Fulham manager Scott Parker and Brentford boss Thomas Frank have given their assessment of the table after it changed complexion with Leeds United's 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

The Championship has a reputation as one of the most open and competitive leagues in the world and it's certainly living up to that billing with seven teams within six points of one another at the top of the table.

The race for automatic promotion had threatened to be something of a dead rubber after Leeds and West Brom moved 11 and 12 points clear of third following long winning streaks going into December, but both sides have since suffered slumps that have allowed the chasing pack to catch up.

Fulham are now level with Leeds on points, behind on goal difference, while Forest and Brentford are one and two points behind, respectively. Preston North End and Bristol City - who Leeds welcome to Elland Road next Saturday - are both five points behind, sixth and seventh in the table.

On Tuesday evening, Leeds face Brentford, who beat Middlesbrough 3-2 yesterday. It will be the club's last-ever visit to Griffin Park, a ground they've failed to win at since 1950.

"I'm looking forward to that game," said Frank following Brentford's win, in which they found a late winner having been pegged back twice by Jonathan Woodgate's Smoggies.

"It's going to be a fantastic one to be part of. It'll be between two of the best teams in this division.

"Both want to dominate, both want to press high and play aggressively. So I hope it will be a top game to watch and be part of and, hopefully, we will get three points.

"And what character, attitude and mentality are in this team. We created the final goal just by outplaying them.

"That is the biggest thing for me to take out of this game — the way we kept going to get that winner."

Leeds have now lost four of their last five games in the league, and another defeat in midweek would see them fall out of the top two for the first time since October.

They could potentially fall as low as fifth, with third-place Fulham away at Millwall and Nottingham Forest at home to Charlton in midweek.

Back-to-back defeats over the week ahead might even see Leeds fall out of the top six altogether, with Bristol City potentially in with a chance of leapfrogging the Whites if they can beat Derby on Tuesday.

Leeds had an opportunity to move 15 points clear of Fulham when they visited Craven Cottage shortly before Christmas, but Fulham won 2-1 and have since kicked on from there, taking advantage of Leeds' slump in form by winning five of their last seven games.

"I'm really pleased to keep the pressure on near the top," said Parker after Fulham moved level with Leeds with a 1-0 win away to Blackburn Rovers.

"At one point we were 13 or 14 points off it. But in this league if you take your eye off the ball for one second you get a jab on the nose."




https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/im-looking-forward-playing-them-17716599

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Hector: We Dug In

Michael Hector praised the professional display that saw Fulham leave Ewood Park with all three points.

Blackburn Rovers have been excellent at home this season, but a patient performance saw the Whites defend well and nick the win courtesy of Aleksandar Mitrović's 20th goal of the season.

"It wasn't the type of pitch that we could play our nice football on, but we showed a side to us where we dug in and waited for our chance," Hector said. "And when you've got Mitro up front you're always going to have a chance to grab a goal.

"We defended really well, we had to be horrible, and it was a nice away win."

Victory for the Whites, coupled with Leeds United's defeat by Nottingham Forest, means goal difference alone is keeping us out of the automatic promotion places.

For Hector, though, it is nothing to get carried away with just yet.

"It's the Championship, everyone has their dip, everyone has their run, and we've just got to keep plugging away and concentrate on our games," he explained. "I think that's important in the Champ.

"You've just got to take care of your game, and the rest will take care of themselves. There's so many games in the Champ that you can put a couple of wins together and you jump three or four places.

"It's so tight this league at the moment, Bristol City could have won and gone above us. It's a crazy league, but that's what you love about it.

"We've got good momentum but we've just got to focus on the next game. When May comes, we'll see where we are.

"It's onto Millwall now and we fight for another three points."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/february/09/michael-hector-we-dug-in

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Hector hails Fulham's fortitude

Michael Hector hailed Fulham's defensive display after the Whites 'dug in' at Ewood Park to secure a narrow victory over Blackburn Rovers yesterday afternoon.

The Jamaican international has made a huge difference since coming into the Fulham back four in January, keeping four clean sheets in five appearances, and helping Scott Parker's side move level on points with Leeds in the race for an automatic promotion spot. The centre back was pleased with Fulham's focus yesterday as they had to be patient and wait for their opportunities against a well-drilled Blackburn outfit.

He told the club's official website:

    It wasn't the type of pitch that we could play our nice football on, but we showed a side to us where we dug in and waited for our chance. And when you've got Mitro up front you're always going to have a chance to grab a goal. We defended really well, we had to be horrible, and it was a nice away win.

Hector revealed that the players weren't getting too carried away with the fact that the gap to Leeds had been whittled down to nothing, given the unpredictable nature of the division.

    It's the Championship, everyone has their dip, everyone has their run, and we've just got to keep plugging away and concentrate on our games. I think that's important in the Champ. You've just got to take care of your game, and the rest will take care of themselves. There's so many games in the Champ that you can put a couple of wins together and you jump three or four places.

    It's so tight this league at the moment, Bristol City could have won and gone above us. It's a crazy league, but that's what you love about it. We've got good momentum but we've just got to focus on the next game. When May comes, we'll see where we are. It's onto Millwall now and we fight for another three points.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/02/hector-hails-fulhams-fortitude/

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Games for mid-week 02/02
We make the short across South London to the New Den to take on Millwall at their place.

We enjoyed our trip to Blackburn, wasn't that the first time we've won there since the early eighties? Isn't good that Mitro's back, that was number 20 in the league, he must be a good bet for 30 for the season?
So we're currently only outside the automatic promotion positions on goal difference, who'd have guessed that back in November?
It's funny if results go "our way" we could be in 2nd, if they don't we could be 5th, Tuesday evenings Brentford v Leeds and Forest v Charlton will be results to keep an eye on!

Millwall's gave West Brom a good game on Sunday even though they lost, by all accounts the pitch wasn't very good so that might be a leveller?

We've a reasonable record against Millwall, the game earlier this season we played the best football I've seen in quite some time, with 4 wins and a loss and a draw. If we come close to replicating the form we had in the earlier game and/or of the game in our promotion season then we should have an enjoyable evening, regardless of the result I'm sure it'll be a good game.

COYW's

Games of Interest...
Tuesday 11th
Brentford v Leeds
Nottm Forest v Charlton
Swansea v QPR

Wednesday 12th
Bristol City v Derby
Millwall v Fulham
Reading v West Brom
Stoke v Preston NE

come on over to the forum and join in the discussion...
https://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?board=1.0



https://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=1080

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Scott Parker issues verdict on Fulham's win at Blackburn Rovers

Fulham boss Scott Parker has commended his side's 'committed performance', after a 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship yesterday.

A second-half goal from Aleksandar Mitrovic took his Championship tally to 20 for the season, and dealt Blackburn just their second home defeat in 16.

The Serb turned inside the penalty box before finishing emphatically as ever to keep Fulham in 3rd-place, and to take them level on points with Leeds United after their 2-0 loss at Nottingham Forest.

Speaking to www.fulhamfc.com after the game, Parker had high-praise for his side:

"I thought it was a well earned battle, a committed performance for an away game. Blackburn have not lost here in 10, I think the last time they lost was in September.

"We knew the challenge that was coming and we stood up to that challenge. First half we matched them but didn't get enough control, we weren't as brave as I'd have liked us to be.

"We addressed that at half-time, we spoke about trying to get a bit more control, turning down their attacks, and having a patience about us, and I think the goal epitomised that really."

The first-half proved a cagey forty-five and the game looked as though it could go either way. But Fulham stuck to their guns and held out for their fourth win in five Championship games, closing the deficit to Leeds which stood at 11 points in December.

"It was always going to be a game of limited opportunities, but when ours came we needed to take it," explained Parker. "It fell to Mitrović who puts it into the back of the net, and then it turns into what most Championship games turn into at 1-0.

"They send a lot of bodies up top, big lads, put a lot of balls into our box, and at that point it's a different game for us. We have to show another side to us and defend the game out."

The Serbian striker has recently returned to action after a short lay-off with injury. He's been in prolific form throughout the campaign and has again shown in his last two matches how important he is to this team's promotion credentials.

An impressive January transfer window has seen Fulham quash the problems of the first-half of their season, becoming really strong contenders for a top-two spot with some impressive wins in the Championship of late.

The verdict

Fulham at times this season have looked questionable, and Parker's tenure was pulled into the spotlight on occasion. But he's kept working hard and has again overseen an impressive transfer window.

The club are restocked and ready for a promotion push, and keeping their main man Mitrovic fit could be the deciding factor between them and an immediate return to the Premier League.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/scott-parker-issues-verdict-on-fulhams-win-at-blackburn-rovers/

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Aleksandar Mitrovic sends inspired message to Fulham fans after Blackburn win

Fulham won 1-0 at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship yesterday.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his 20th goal of the season yesterday to give Fulham the win at Ewood Park – it's only the second time that Blackburn have lost their in 16 games.

It was a hard-fought win – Blackburn had their chances in the game and after a goalless first-half, it looked as though Scott Parker's side would have to settle for a point.

But the Serb found a way through, as he so often does, and he continues in his prolific campaign – he's scored 31 for club and country this season.

The 25-year-old posted this on his Instagram earlier today:

Fulham sit in 3rd-place of the table after the weekend, and go level on points with Leeds United in 2nd after their 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest last night.

Marcelo Bielsa's side have hit some horrid form, and what was an 11-point gap to Fulham in December is now gone.

ut Parker's Fulham have been gradually improving as the season's progressed and with an impressive host of signings last month, they look set to challenge for an automatic promotion spot, and an immediate return to the Premier League.

The verdict

Fulham wouldn't be where they are today without Mitrovic. He's once again proving to be one of the hottest strikers in the continent and Fulham have done incredibly well to keep him through this season's transfer windows.

He'll need help from his teammates though – they can't purely rely on his goals for the rest of the season.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/aleksandar-mitrovic-sends-inspired-message-to-fulham-fans-after-blackburn-win/